Repair device for chairs



Nov. 21, 1944.

J. H. BOYE REPAIR DEVICE FOR CHAIRS Filed May 14, 1942 V L x1 I {NVENTQR v ia/726.5}! Bczye.

secured thereto;

Patented Nov. '21, 1944 UNITED STA s; PATENT; OFF

REPAIR DEVICE FOR CHAIRS James H. Boy e, Chicago, Ill., assignorto James H. Boye Manufacturing Company, Chicago, I 111., a corporation of Illinois i p 1 Application May 14,1942,ser a1N .442,909-

i 2 Claims. (01455-496) This invention relates to a new and improved structural reinforcing member, andmore particu larly to a metal member adapted for tightening and reinforcing joints in wooden framed con} struction.

While my invention is capable of other use, it is especially adapted to use in connection with chair legs and cross spindles. 1

Chairs as generally constructed comprise legs and cross spindles formed of wood, the legs fitting into sockets in the base of the seat or seat supporting frame. The cross spindles normally fit into sockets in the legs or in other, cross spindles. All of these connections have a tendency to work loose in time with continued use of the chair. Looseness of the chair legs may permit them to spread to such an extent as to cause stresses to be applied to them at such angle as to cause them to break. The cross spindles are normally under tension and spreading legs may pull entirely away from the spindles. Consequently, it is important to have all these joints tightly maintained both to protect the chair itself and to protect users of the chairs.

The present device may also be used withother wooden furniture or structures. Examples of such use are inlconnection with tables or cabinets.

It -is an object of the present invention to pro.- vide a new and improved structural reinforcing device.

It is also an object to provide a device of this character adapted to be easily and quickly applied to wooden framed structures, such as chairs or tables.

It is a further object to provide a device which is simple in design and construction and adapted for commercial production and use.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure Us a fragmentary view of a portion of a chair with my structural reinforcing device Figure 2 is a view of the structure of Figure 1 as seen from the right;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3-3- of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 3 and shown on an enlarged scale; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device.

.In the drawing, a portion of a chair seat has been shown at H and a chair leg at l2, the le having its end portion [3 seated in, a socket or device, as best shown in Figure 5, comprises a bodyportion I4, with a downturned leg portion H: at one end of the body, and an integral pointed tongue I6 extending from the opposite end of the body portion. i l

The sides of thebody portion are turned down as shown at IT, Figure 5, for stiffening the conmortise in the chair seat member. The securing struction, thisturnedxdown side portion extending onto the leg portionl5; The center of the body portion is also depressed at 18 to form a corrugation, which aids in stiffening the device.

The body portion is provided with countersunk opening H), which, as shown in Figure 4, is set at an angle to engage the head 2|! of the flat headed screw 2 I, one threaded portion of which is screwed into the chair seat member I I. The front portion 22 of the countersunk opening I9 is preferably formed on a somewhat steeper angle than the remainder of the countersink, so that as the screw is fully seated, it tendsto thrust thedevice to the left, as seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4. i

In assembling the device in a chair to hold the leg in place and tighten it, it is preferable to use a drill or auger and start a hole to receive the pointed tongue l6 of the device. It is also preferable to start a hole for the screw 2| at a small angle to the right of the vertical, Figure 4, so that the point of the screw will be directed toward the l end portion I3 of the leg l2. The chair elements are normally formed of hard wood, and the device can be more readily assembled without danger of splitting, and with a certainty of securing a firm grip on the leg if these holes are started.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, the undersurface of the reinforcing and strengthening device is concave as a result of the groove l8 which extends longitudinally to include the pointed tongue [6 and also upwardly for the height of the leg portion I5. The device is thus adequately strengthened since the groove has the efiect of corrugating the same. Thesaid leg [5 and the flanges H are bent from the body portion of the device and these parts extend at right angles to said body portion. The device may be so dimensioned, for example, that the hole for the pointed tongue may be started one-quarter of an inch down on the leg from the undersurface of the seat member H and the opening for the screw may be started in said seat member approximately one-half inch laterallyirom the leg.

Using fixed dimensions of this character facilitates the accurate assembly of the device, due to the angularity of the screw and the difliculty of the countersunk portion receiving the head of the screw. When the device is tightened up, there is thereof, it will be understood that normally adhesive or. glue will be5-placed around-the. parts;

I contemplate such variations as come within th spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Whatis claimed is: 1. A structural reinforcing device comprising a 5 member including an elongated body portion, said body portion having a pointed tongue projecting from one end thereof and having a leg projecting from the opposite end, said tongue andleg being integral with the body pontion andl the leg; having which are joined. The leg l5 serves as a lever-or-lO a--right"angle relation therewith, flanges 0n the abutment about which the tongue I6 swings in a,

direction towards the seat of the chair to give afirm clamping action as the screw istightlyc seated.

While I have shown and -=described theidevice r lsg as being used in holding a leg in-=a-chairseat;-it

will be apparent that it may be used for anysimilar purposes. stretchers of the chair to the legs or to each other,

or may hold legs or corner members of tables-or n bookcases, or other, pieces, of, furniture. Thee; method otapplicationis, similan, the screw.,bein seated-in: .the. member, bearin gthegmortises and;

the tongue; lfih bein iseated in.the. ,membe1:,;it:isa i I desired to force into the mortise and,retainfixedly,; the leg, and said body portion having a;-centra1 therein;

WhileJ have shownsa preferred embodimisntofL m invention it is, capable. of... modificatio.n..- to meet idiffering, conditions. and. requirements, and;

respective sides of the elongated body portion for strengthening the same, and said body portion flvin s 'central countersunk opening for receivnga securing screw. 6

2: A structuralf reinforcing device comprising a inembrincldding an: elongated body portion hav- 'ing -a longitudinal groove corrugating said body For examplagit may; hold-:2

portionqizozzincreaseits strength, a pointed tongue projecting pfrom one end of the body portion, a leg-projecting from the opposite end of the body portion, and having a right.,-;ang 1e -re1atiOn2 therewith, integral. side-flanges {bent zatsright angles,- to the;.body portion and;extending in..the same idle reotiomaa the ,legrbut for a .-,-distance.-.-1essethane counts rsun km opening, for; receiving a. securing 

